Sanding Edge Banding: Making Glue Lines Disappear

Edge banding adds a finished look to plywood and MDF projects, but glue lines and uneven seams can stand out if not sanded carefully. With the right approach, you can make edge banding transitions completely invisible under paint, stain, or clear coat.

Why Sanding Edge Banding Matters

Edge banding is often slightly proud of the panel surface after application. Glue squeeze-out can also dry on the edges. If these aren’t leveled smoothly, they’ll show through finishes and ruin the seamless look. Proper sanding creates a clean, professional edge that blends perfectly with the surface.

Tools You’ll Need

• Block plane or edge trimmer (optional pre-sanding step)
• Sanding block for precise hand control
• Random orbital sander for panel faces
• Pencil for tracking scratch removal
• Tack cloth or vacuum

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 120 grit: Initial leveling of edge banding to panel surface.
• 180 grit: Refining seams and removing glue ghosts.
• 220–320 grit: Final smoothing for invisible finish transitions.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Trim excess first. Use a block plane or trimmer to remove banding that sits far above the panel surface.
2. Level edges. Sand lightly with 120 grit (25-pack) wrapped on a block, working only across the banding seam.
3. Blend surfaces. Switch to 180 grit (50-pack) to feather the transition between banding and panel face.
4. Finish sanding. Use 320 grit (100-pack) to refine the edge and erase scratches.
5. Remove glue ghosts. Hold the panel under raking light and sand out faint glue shadows before finishing.
6. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum and tack cloth all surfaces before applying finish.

Special Cases

For veneer edge banding, avoid coarse grits under 120 to prevent sanding through the thin material. For thicker solid-wood edge strips, you can start with 80 grit if necessary.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the grain direction of the panel face, not across it.
• Keep sanding blocks flat—tilting can create rounded seams.
• Spot-check under bright light to ensure glue ghosts are gone before finishing.
• For painted projects, sanding to 220 grit is sufficient; for clear coats, continue to 320.

Aftercare

• Inspect edges after each coat of finish—scuff lightly with 320 grit if lines reappear.
• Seal edges completely to prevent lifting or peeling over time.
• Store finished panels flat to reduce stress on edge banding.

FAQs

• What if the banding lifts during sanding? Re-glue with wood adhesive, clamp, and sand again once dry.
• Can I sand banding flush before the glue dries? No—wait until glue is fully cured to avoid clogging sandpaper.
• Do I need to finish edge banding differently than the panel? No—sand and finish both the same for a seamless look.

Watch & Learn

With careful sanding, edge banding can blend so well with your panels that glue lines disappear completely—delivering a furniture-quality finish on plywood and MDF projects.